Test Taking Tips - American Nurses Association

How to Prepare for ANCC Certification Exams

Congratulations!

Why congratulations? If you are reading this, you¡¯ve taken the first important step toward getting certified and advancing your career.

We want to help you navigate critical steps to take as you prepare for an ANCC certification exam. Here are some important tips and ideas to keep in mind:

1. Be confident

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In yourself

If you are considering ANCC certification,

that means you already have a great deal of

knowledge in the areas that are the focus of

the exam you are planning to take. You may

need to brush up on this or that content

area and gain a deeper understanding of

how the exam is structured, but overall,

you¡¯ve got it covered.

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The Test Reference List

There are a number of authoritative texts, such as those listed for each

certification, that are used to develop the certification examinations.

The list is provided to help you prepare for the examination and is not

intended to be all inclusive. The hyperlinks are included to help you

locate the resources. In the event that the publisher issues a new

edition, the hyperlink may change, requiring you to conduct a search for

the resource.

Sample Test Questions and Answers

Sample questions are provided that are similar to those on the

examination but do not represent the full range of content or levels of

difficulty. The answers to the sample questions are provided after the

last question. Please note: Taking these or any sample question(s) is not

a requirement to sit for an actual certification examination. Completion

of these or any other sample question(s) does not imply eligibility for

certification or successful performance on any certification examination.

3. Plan

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Develop a personal study plan

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Approximately 6 months before you take your exam, write up a

formal plan of study.

Include topics for study, a timetable, resources, and methods

of study that work for you.

Schedule regular times to study. Avoid cramming; it is

counterproductive.

Try to schedule your study periods in one-hour increments.

The key is to have a study plan that works for you and follow

through on it.

Take a review course

Taking a review course is an excellent way to assess your knowledge of

the test content. Be sure to take the review course well before the

exam date so you have plenty of time to master any areas of weakness

the course uncovers. People have a tendency to study what they know.

That will not help you master unfamiliar content. Concentrate on those

areas where your knowledge is not as strong.

Consider all possible ways to study

Find a study buddy or group, review current textbooks and articles,

review class notes, and join an online community. These additional

methods can augment your self-study efforts.

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Be realistic

Do not expect to know everything about all the topics in the TCO. Use

the percentage and number of questions in each of the major categories

to further refine the areas you choose to focus on. The most likely

diagnoses, not questions about rare diseases or atypical cases, will be

on the exam. Know the most likely presentation and most common

therapy.

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Pace Your Studying

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All the resources that ANCC provides

In addition to the TCO, other detailed information related to specific

exams is available, including a Test Reference List and sample test

questions with answers. Visit ANCC's Certification website to take

advantage of these resources.

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You must have basic content knowledge. In addition, you must be able to use this

information to think critically and make decisions based on facts. Memorize the

basics of the content areas you will be required to know.

The Test Content Outline (TCO) for your chosen exam

For each certification exam, ANCC provides a Test Content Outline that

identifies the areas that are included on the examination. This is your

roadmap to the exam. The percentage and number of questions in each

of the major categories of the scored portion of the examination are

also shown. Print the TCO and take notes on each objective to guide

your study process.

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4. Study

How the exams are developed and structured

Review the General Testing and Renewal Handbook. This booklet

provides a general overview of ANCC testing processes and procedures

and an overview of information on maintaining certification. Review it

carefully and be sure to bookmark the site so you can refer to it

frequently. This is critical information; it will give you insight into the

nature of your test. ANCC will also send you information about the test

site; keep that in a safe place until needed.

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Refer to your study plan regularly. Stick to your schedule. Take breaks

when you get tired. If you start procrastinating, get help from a friend or

reorganize your study plan. It is not necessary to follow your plan rigidly.

Adjust as you learn where you need to spend more time.

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2. Review

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Implement Your Study Plan

In your choice of ANCC certification

Trusted for our commitment to quality, the ANCC Certification Program

is nationally renowned as a true gauge of your ability to provide

excellent care. Colleagues and employers respect ANCC-certified nurses

as experts in their specialties. Exam content reflects real-world clinical

situations. Exams are designed to objectively assess entry-level

competency in advanced practice registered nursing or validate nursing

practice specialties, as well as inter-professional practice in specialty

fields.

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Stop studying for the examination when you start to feel

overwhelmed and look at what is bothering you.

Make changes accordingly when you start to feel this way.

Break overwhelming tasks into smaller tasks that you know you can

do.

Stop and take breaks while studying.

5. Certification Examination Tips

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Look for key points such as age, medical diagnosis, time frame,

comorbidity.

Look for key words such as, except, always, first, best.

Thoroughly read each question, and answer it, before looking at

choices.

Conserve mental energy.

Never assume information that is not given.

All information needed to answer the questions is provided.

There are 25 questions that are ungraded.

Answer the easy questions first, mark and return to the difficult

questions later.

Answer ALL questions.

6. Day Before Exam

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Don¡¯t study.

Review the General Testing Handbook as it offers information on the

testing center and what to expect.

Take time for yourself.

Try yoga or meditation.

Eat properly throughout the day.

Get a good night¡¯s rest.

Be sure to bring a government-issued ID card and your Prometric

scheduling confirmation to the test center.

Have all items requested for testing center laid out.

7. Day of Examination

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Eat a nutritious breakfast.

Before you leave, check the status of your testing center location by

visiting Prometric¡¯s site status page.

Give yourself plenty of driving time to get to the testing center.

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